Piscidia in Herbalist: Property of Piscidia

Scientific name

Piscidia erythrina

Family

Leguminosae

Origin

Central America, Jamaica

Synonyms

Jamaica dogwood

Used Parts

Drug consisting of roots and bark

Chemical constituents

Isoflavonoids (rotenoids);
alkaloids;
Saponins (piscidina);
Tannins;
Flavonoids;
Piscidic acid.

Piscidia in Herbalist: Property of Piscidia

Due to its alkaloid content, piscidia is a plant that can be highly toxic; however, it is used in therapy, in the form of standardized extracts, due to its action in the central nervous system; in fact, it is able to calm the pain and induce sleep. In some studies carried out in vitro, piscidia has shown greater activity than papaverine: some of the isoflavonoids present in the root are responsible for this biological action. Isoflavonoids are attributable to antispasmodic, hypotensive and muscle relaxant properties, especially at the genito-urinary level.